Rittō

November 7th marks Rittō (Beginning of Winter), one of the twenty-four solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendar.

As evening falls on the way home, our breath turns white in the chilly air, quietly announcing the arrival of winter.

Back at home, we wrap both hands around a warm tea cup, feeling the gentle warmth gradually return to our chilled fingertips.

For these early winter evenings and moments around the dining table, we have created a special seasonal blend.

At its heart is tamaryokucha, a Japanese green tea distinguished by its gently curled leaves, reminiscent of magatama, traditional comma-shaped Japanese ornaments.

When brewed briefly with relatively hot water, it reveals a smooth, almost velvety texture and rich, rounded umami, with remarkably gentle astringency.

To this, we have added tencha stems from the tea used to make matcha, along with deep-steamed green tea, bringing greater depth and richness to the blend.

As steam rises from the teapot, the toasty aroma of roasted rice mingles with fresh, verdant notes reminiscent of bamboo.

The first sip reveals a sweet, toasted fragrance reminiscent of freshly baked kakimochi (rice crackers), followed by the rich umami of ichiban dashi, the first and most flavorful extraction of Japanese soup stock.

After each sip, a delicate bitterness reminiscent of green yuzu emerges alongside the refreshing citrus fragrance of sansho pepper.

These bright, uplifting notes bring balance to the rich umami, leaving a clean, clear finish on the palate.

Enjoy it around the table with steaming hot pot dishes or richly flavored, fatty fish.

Or savor a quiet cup in the evening, taking a moment to unwind at the end of the day.

We invite you to slowly enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this seasonal tea as winter begins.